Metamorpho the Element Man is a Creator/DCComics superhero. Metamorpho was created by writer Bob Haney (''ComicBook/MetalMen'', ''Comicbook/DoomPatrol'') and artist Ramona Fradon, and debuted in ''ComicBook/TheBraveAndTheBold'' #57 in 1965 before getting his own ongoing series.

Rex Mason, AdventurerArchaeologist, became Metamorpho after being exposed to the Orb of Ra, an artifact made from a radioactive meteorite. He has the ability to shift his shape and to transform parts of his body into any element found in the human body. It came with several downsides, the most obvious of which is that in human form he is bald, lumpy, and his skin is divided into areas colored white, orange, brown, and purple. (Yes, he's one of those superheroes who regards their condition as more of a curse than a blessing.)

His supporting cast includes Simon Stagg, the amoral business tycoon who hired him to find the Orb, Sapphire Stagg, Stagg's daughter and Rex's love interest, and Java, Stagg's unfrozen-Neanderthal manservant. For a while he had a DistaffCounterpart, Element Girl, who is now mostly known for a memorable guest appearance in ''ComicBook/TheSandman''.

''Metamorpho'' was clearly inspired by what was happening down the street at Creator/MarvelComics, with Haney giving the book an oddball hipness and his own version of teenage lingo, as well as engaging Creator/StanLee's famous trash-talking on his own terms. He gave the comic its Marvel-baiting tagline, and even parodied the Galactus Trilogy with the story of '''The Thunderer!''', who was heralded by '''Neutrog the Forerunner!'''.

Metamorpho was one of the few characters to turn down an invitation to join the Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica, and later became a founder member of [[ComicBook/BatmanAndTheOutsiders the Outsiders]], Batman's superhero team for superheroes who didn't belong in teams. Some time after that he became a member of [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueInternational Justice League Europe]].

In ''ComicBook/{{Flashpoint}}'' and the ''ComicBook/{{New 52}}'', Metamorpho doesn't exist, but has a DistaffCounterpart named Element Woman. Real name Emily Sung, she's a bubbly CloudCuckoolander, but an [[BunnyEarsLawyer effective crimefighter]]. She helped the [[Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica Justice League]] during the ''ComicBook/ThroneOfAtlantis'' story arc and was recruited into the League in issue 18.

In other media, Metamorpho has appeared as a recurring character in the ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'' animated series, with the Outsiders in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', and made two appearances in ''WesternAnimation/BewareTheBatman''. Simon Stagg appears as an antagonist in ''Videogame/BatmanArkhamKnight''.

In 2009, Creator/NeilGaiman wrote a LighterAndFluffier Metamorpho, directly inspired by the tone of the original Haney-penned adventures, for ''ComicBook/WednesdayComics'', with art by Mike Allred.

!!Metamorpho's adventures provide examples of:

* AdventurerArchaeologist: Rex Mason.* AllCavemenWereNeanderthals: Java.* BlessedWithSuck: Metamorpho's powers come bundled with a freakish appearance (although actually it doesn't seem to have put Sapphire off as much as you might think).* CatchPhrase: Truckloads of them.** Metamorpho: "Blue Blazes!", "Holy Hannah!"** Simon Stagg: "By Jasper!", "By Gadfrey!", "By the great Harry!"* ClonesArePeopleToo: Metamorpho's clone Shift tries to live his own life as a member of the Outsiders, with the original Metamorpho's blessing. But when his android girlfriend gets corrupted by pre-existing evil programming, betrays the team, and dies, Shift says he can't bear to live any more and begs Metamorpho to reabsorb him, which he reluctantly does.* ComboPlatterPowers* ContemporaryCaveman: Java, Stagg's unfrozen-Neanderthal manservant.* DeathIsCheap: Metamorpho has died and come back at least twice. On one occasion, Superman was the only person who bothered to attend his funeral, because everyone else just figured he'd be back sooner or later.* DependingOnTheWriter: Whether a metamorphae is able to access (for simplicity's sake) all the elements of the periodical table, or only those found within the human body.[[note]]Which, considering possible elemental compounds, is still quite an array of powers.[[/note]] * FashionableAsymmetry: Metamorpho's default form.* GreenEyedMonster: Java - [[HopelessSuitor ever the heartsick, scheming fool]] - absolutely despises Rex for "stealing away" Sapphire, the girl of his affection, to the point where he believes Metamorpho to be [[SmallNameBigEgo a lesser romantic rival to himself]] and visibly cringes every time the two lovers kiss, thinking Sapph's trying to make him jealous.* HappilyMarried: [[spoiler:After finally getting fed up with Rex's constant indecision over proposing (his main concern was finding a cure, for her sake, before he popped the question), Sapph chewed him out for his self-pity and asked him herself. He immediately and joyfully said "yes", and the couple have since persevered through thick and thin.]]* ICannotSelfTerminate: Element Girl tried numerous times to commit suicide and found it impossible. She required divine intervention to finally die. Since Metamorpho has the same powers, he would presumably also have the same problem offing himself* LikeADuckTakesToWater: Java, DependingOnTheWriter; in some depictions, he's adapted quite well to the present and adopted an articulate vocabulary.* MagicMeteor: The source of Metamorpho's powers.* MonsterFromBeyondTheVeil: After one of Metamorpho's deaths, his son wishes to have him back (without specifying "alive"), and this is the result.* MonsterModesty: As mentioned below, he wears nothing but underwear.* MurderTheHypotenuse: He rarely attempts to directly kill Rex, but Java has proven himself a remorseless opportunist several times, slinking away quietly when Metamorpho is in trouble rather than helping him out; only when Sapph's in trouble can he manage to [[EnemyMine (briefly) put aside his rivalry]] for her sake.* NighInvulnerable: Early on, Metamorpho changed himself into gunpowder and let himself be exploded. His powers let him get better.* OopsIForgotIWasMarried: He had amnesia, and had forgot everything about his former life, even his name. And then, a precious girl shows up, saying that they were married. And also an over sized gorilla who is currently married with her, and wants to kill Metamorpho for being in the same room than her.* RunningGag: In ''Justice League International'', he loves watching three stooges as much as John loves oreos. * UnderwearOfPower: In his default human appearance, Metamorpho is naked except for his underwear of power -- which therefore are presumably ''part of his body''. Element Woman also has a bandeau bikini top, with just as much explanation.* VoluntaryShapeshifting: One of Metamorpho's powers.

See also the trope lists at ''ComicBook/BatmanAndTheOutsiders'', ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheBraveAndTheBold'', ''ComicBook/WednesdayComics'', ''WesternAnimation/BewareTheBatman''.----